New York 2018 marks second facelift for the Mazda CX-3

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Do not expect spectacular changes

Mazda’s CX-3 crossover has been around since 2015 but can’t complain about being neglected as it bags its second nip and tuck.

It will take a lot of patience and a magnifier (they have apps for that nowadays) to spot the CX-3 design tweaks, but Mazda says they’re there, on the front grille, in the form of a new body paint (Soul Red Crystal), new 18-inch aluminum wheels and revised taillights.

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Inside the cabin, changes are just as subtle as on the outside and account for a new central armrest, electronic park brake with auto hold, traffic jam assistant and an LED-based lighting system, as well as redesigned leather seats and better noise, vibration and harshness proofing.

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Mechanical tweaks are also on the menu for both diesels and petrol engines. For example, the Skyactiv-D four-cylinder diesel powerplant was fitted with a NOx storage catalyst so that it meets the Euro 6d-Temp emission standard but it also has a lower combustion temperature obtained via an increasing its displacement, says Mazda.

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In turn, the Skyactiv-G petrol engine range received a series updates that reduce the particulate emissions typical for direct-injected units. Motor1 also reports that the 2-liter Skyactiv-G petrol engine now makes 148 hp and 148 lb-ft (201 Nm) instead of 146 hp and 146 lb-ft (198 Nm).

READ MORE: Facelifted 2018 Mazda6 goes on sale starting at $21,950